EverBank Field Renovations Remain On Target With Schedule, Budget

The construction manager of the EverBank Field renovations yesterday said that the $63M project is "on schedule and on budget," according to Vito Stellino of the FLORIDA TIMES-UNION. Hunt Construction VP/Field Operations Sid Perkins said that the project "will be finished on time" by July 15, and "will be ready for the Jaguars' first preseason game in August." Jaguars President Mark Lamping said that the scoreboards "should be ready for use" for EPL club Fulham FC's friendly that is tentatively scheduled for July 26. But Stellino notes the scoreboards "won't be in use" for the U.S. men's national soccer team's June 7 match. New ribbon boards on the sides of the stadium and above the two entrances from the field "are already completed." Hunt also is installing the two 60 feet high and 362 feet long scoreboards in each end zone, making them the "biggest in the world." Workers have already "removed the insides of the old scoreboards," but the outside structure "will remain to help hold up the new scoreboards." This will "save money by not having to totally demolish them" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 4/9).

NEW VIDEOBOARDS IN GLENDALE: NFL Cardinals President Michael Bidwill yesterday announced that Univ. of Phoenix Stadium “will have new videoboards this season.” Bidwill in an e-mail to season-ticket holders wrote that the screens at both the south and north ends “will be improved.” He said this is part of a “collaborative effort” between the team and the Arizona Sports & Tourism Authority. Bidwill in the e-mail also addressed stadium WiFi, “calling enhancements a ‘priority’ and saying there would be more specific information to be shared in the ‘very near future’” (AZCARDINALS.com, 4/8).